"Who commands at Vayres?" she asked.
"I am told, madame," Guitaut replied, "that it is a new governor."
"A trustworthy man, I hope?" said the queen, with a frown.
"An adherent of Monsieur le Duc d'Épernon."
The cloud vanished from the queen's brow.
"If that is so, let us go on at once," she said.
"Madame," said the Duc de La Meilleraie, "your Majesty will of course be guided by your own judgment, but I think that we ought not to go forward more rapidly than the army. A warlike entry at Vayres would work wonders; it is well that the king's subjects should realize the extent of the forces at his Majesty's command; that will encourage the faithful and discourage traitors."
"I think that Monsieur de La Meilleraie is right," said Cardinal de Mazarin.
"And I say that he is wrong," rejoined the queen. "We have nothing to fear between this and Bordeaux; the king is strong in himself, and not in his troops; his household will suffice."
Monsieur de La Meilleraie bowed his acquiescence.